Extends pension eligibility for survivors of certain emergency services volunteers who contracted COVID-19 during 2020 public health emergency declared by Governor.

This bill (S 516) expands New Jersey's survivor pension program to cover the families of volunteer emergency workers who died from COVID-19 during the 2020 public health emergency. It directly affects widows, children, or parents of volunteer firefighters, first aid workers, rescue squad members, or emergency medical technicians who contracted COVID-19 while performing duties involving public interaction during the Governor's declared emergency. To qualify, the volunteer must have had a confirmed positive test, died from COVID-19, and their duties required public interaction during the emergency period. Approved pensions will be paid retroactively to the year following the volunteer's death.